THE POINT: To rank each of the NFL’s 32 teams based on performance, perception and potential rather than merely by record.
THE PANEL: Our 10-man committee consists of:
Joe Bendel, 970 ESPN, Steelers Radio Network; Tim Benz, 105.9 The X, Steelers Radio Network; Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 970 ESPN, Steelers Radio Network; Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News; Jeff Legwold, Denver Post; Cole Pepper, Studio Host Jaguars Radio Network; Mike Prisuta, WDVE, 970 ESPN, Steelers Radio Network; Jon Saraceno, USA Today; David Todd, 970 ESPN, Steelers Nation Radio; Matt Williamson, ESPN.com.
THE PROCESS: Each panelist ranks the teams from No. 1 to No. 32. Teams receive one point for their spot in the rankings (the No. 15 team gets 15 points, etc.). An aggregate score is compiled from the 10 ballots and the teams are stacked in reverse order, with the lowest score achieving the No. 1 ranking and the highest score checking in at No. 32.
THIS WEEK’S POLL: The Houston Texans are No. 1, but the designation isn’t unanimous (Bendel and Dulac opted for San Francisco, Saraceno tabbed Atlanta No. 1).
The panel also disagreed on the NFL’s worst team, as the Cleveland Browns (five), New York Jets (three), Kansas City Chiefs (one) and Jacksonville Jaguars (one) were all so designated.
The Steelers check in this week at No. 15 after being ranked as high as No. 11 (Prisuta) and as low as No. 21 (Benz).
POSITION-TEAM (FIRST-PLACE VOTES)-POINTS
No. 1- Houston Texans (7)-13
No. 2-Atlanta Falcons (1)-24
No. 3-San Francisco 49ers (2)-29
No. 4-Baltimore Ravens-48
No. 5-Arizona Cardinals-60
No. 6-New England Patriots-65
No. 7-Green Bay Packers-74
No. 8-Philadelphia Eagles-91
No. 9-Chicago Bears-95
No. 10-San Diego Chargers-104
No. 11-New York Football Giants-109
No. 12-Cincinnati Bengals-111
No. 13-Denver Broncos-118
No. 14-Minnesota Vikings-132
No. 15-PITTSBURGH STEELERS-162
No. 16-Dallas Cowboys-169
No. 17 -Washington Redskins-171
No. 18-Seattle Seahawks-176
No. 19-St. Louis Rams-199
No. 20-Detroit Lions-202
No. 21-Buffalo Bills-215
No. 22-Carolina Panthers-222
No. 23-New York Jets-241
No. 24-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-245
No. 25-New Orleans Saints-252
No. 26-Miami Dolphins-265
No. 27-Oakland Raiders-268
No. 28-Tennessee Titans-271
No. 29-Kansas City Chiefs-279
No. 30-Indianapolis Colts-281
No. 31-Jacksonville Jaguars-291
No. 32-Cleveland Browns-307
